Skip to main content

High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, is a condition that is difficult to identify because it rarely causes symptoms. In light of this, untreated hypertension can cause major health complications. However, commitment, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can help you maintain a good blood pressure level.

A healthy diet plays an important role in treating high blood pressure. Likewise, you may be able to minimize the need to take medication by successfully controlling your blood pressure with a healthy diet.

Hypertension stats

According to research by the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition. With no warning signs or symptoms of being hypertensive, it is critical for blood pressure to be checked regularly.

Getting your blood pressure checked on a regular basis is the best way to determine if you require medication, just as being aware of the foods to avoid can help you reduce your risk of hypertension. If left untreated, hypertension can cause a heart attack, dementia, aneurysm, stroke, and kidney failure.

Five Foods To Beat Hypertension

Salt or sodium

Salt, or more specifically, the sodium in salt, is a leading cause of hypertension and heart disease, due to its effect on blood fluid balance. Your body retains additional fluid when you consume salt and raises your blood pressure by increasing blood volume and pressure in the arteries.

The minerals in leafy greens, including spinach, broccoli, kale, and collards, which are high in potassium, help the body eliminate salt through urine and relax blood vessel walls.

Red meat

The body’s metabolization of red meat may result in the production of compounds that increase blood pressure even further. The colour of the meat influences the likelihood of it raising blood pressure.

iron | Longevity Live

hlphoto/shutterstock

Beef, lamb, pork, veal, venison, and goat are examples of red meat that may raise blood pressure. As such, red meat should be consumed in moderation or leaner cuts should be used. 

Processed foods with trans or saturated fat

To keep your heart healthy, limit saturated fats and avoid trans fats. Synthetic fats that enhance the shelf life and stability of packaged foods are known as trans fats. On the other hand, eating them elevates LDL (bad) cholesterol while lowering HDL (good) cholesterol, thereby raising the risk of hypertension.

LDL cholesterol clogs and hardens your arteries, increasing your risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Some of the foods to avoid include fried foods, margarine, meat and dairy. 

Alcohol

Excessive alcohol consumption might cause the muscles in your blood vessels to contract, making them narrower. When your blood arteries narrow, this puts pressure on the heart to work harder to circulate blood throughout your body, elevating your blood pressure.

The more alcohol you consume, the more likely you are to develop hypertension. Furthermore, alcohol consumption also contributes to overweight and obesity, which increases the risk of hypertension.

Sugar or sugar-sweetened beverages

Increased intake of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to a higher risk of hypertension. While a sugary beverage now and then is good, consuming a lot of it might elevate blood pressure.

Many sugary drinks, such as sodas and fruit juices, include caffeine or high fructose corn syrup, both of which can increase blood pressure.

Bottom line

A balanced diet and smart food choices can make a big difference in managing and preventing hypertension. It is also important to exercise regularly and take any medications prescribed by your doctor.

Omy Naidoo

Omy Naidoo

Omy Naidoo is a Registered Dietician and founder of Newtricion Wellness Dieticians which is one of the largest dietician brands in the country. The practice has helped more than 15 000 patients. Omy Naidoo qualified from UKZN in 2008. He is a well known personality in the media with regards to health topics which require nutritional input, being featured on Radio, TV and print media. He has a passion for gut health and critical care nutrition.

Longevity Live is a digital publisher AND DOES NOT OFFER PERSONAL HEALTH OR MEDICAL ADVICE. IF YOU’RE FACING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, CALL YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES IMMEDIATELY, OR VISIT THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE CENTER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE STARTING ANY NUTRITION, DIET, EXERCISE, FITNESS, MEDICAL, OR WELLNESS PROGRAM.

This content, developed through collaboration with licensed medical professionals and external contributors, including text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the website, apps, newsletter, and products (“Content”), is general in nature and for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, procedure, or treatment, whether it is a prescription medication, over-the-counter drug, vitamin, supplement, or herbal alternative.

Longevity Live makes no guarantees about the efficacy or safety of products or treatments described in any of our posts. Any information on supplements, related services and drug information contained in our posts are subject to change and are not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Longevity does not recommend or endorse any specific test, clinician, clinical care provider, product, procedure, opinion, service, or other information that may be mentioned on Longevity’s websites, apps, and Content.

error: Content is protected !!